By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses immediately proved their doubters wrong after scoring a momentum-boosting win over last year’s runner-up squad National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 25-19, 25-23, 25-22, in the ongoing UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament last February 18, 2024, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite the departure of former superstar and main gunner Eya Laure who now turned professional in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), the Golden Tigresses showed that their balanced roster and improved floor defense can take them to greater heights in this year’s UAAP tourney.
Rookie sensation Angeline Poyos shrugged off her jitters and played like a veteran for the Golden Tigresses after leading them to the three-set sweeping win.
Poyos didn’t need any adjustment and pummeled the Lady Bulldogs with a team-high 16-point performance built from 13 successful attacks and five excellent digs.
The scoring machine set the tone for UST after converting her first few cross-court kills backstopped by her resiliency in diving for the loose balls.
Aside from Poyos, the 1-2 punch of Regina Jurado and Jonna Perdido also delivered for the Golden Tigresses.
Despite going up against the star-laden NU lineup of Bella Belen, Vash Alinsug, Alyssa Solomon, Camilla Lamina, and Sheena Toring, the rookie duo still provided efficient numbers and boosted UST in the crucial moments of the final set.
Perdido wrapped up her opening game with 12 points and six excellent receptions while Jurado produced the same amount of points alongside seven excellent digs.
“Medyo ano, dun sa result ng laro nagulat ako. Pero doon sa nilaro nila, hindi ako nagugulat dun kasi ganun kami mag-ensayo. Talagang ano lang, maganda yung gising namin, A-game,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
Bernadette Pepito, the UAAP Season 85 Best Libero, anchored the floor defense of the Golden Tigresses after tallying 16 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions.
